* get thread promoted to sticky
* updating for free at dealers
* expanders
* cheapest pickit
* troubleshooting
* new firmware/old firmware
* what software version do I have?
* where is old firmware located?

"These files will upgrade the functionality of your Harvestman modules. In order to use them, you must have a Microchip PicKit2 programmer (PicKit3 also OK), available from many electronics supply stores. You must also have a Windows computer, or a Mac (command line only). Older modules with a 2-row, 10-pin header also require the Piston Honda ROM Programmer Board to adapt the PicKit connector, available from your Harvestman dealer. Detailed instructions are provided in each download."
- http://www.theharvestman.org/firmware.php

Usage
"Here's a hint if using PicKit 3 and newest software. (On Win7, and PH mk2 in my case) The instructions from Harvestman don't really correspond.
You need to specify the device- it is the long string of numbers and letters towards the bottom of the readme included in the firmware download. Until you do that, the software will not find your module.
I had to try to send the firmware several times before it worked- I'd hit Program, and in a split second it would say it was done. The time it finally worked, it only took a couple of seconds though."
- Zymos

"...at my neighbor the Pickit3 worked and the indicater-LED´s looked different, the Status LED was not red, as it was on my Computer, it was greenish.
So I went back to my computer and had an idea, why not try it with a usb-hub....
and the status LED was greenish..then it found the Pickit, the programming worked fine...
crazy...so if you have problems with your Pickit, use a usb hub....
easy...but hard to find solution..I may say"
- El_Miguel

"With a pickit3 tried the most recent version of that program, but it wouldn't run on my computer, so downloaded version 2.35 and worked okay. Had to use a USB hub and it took me a few attempts, but finally got it. The whole process probably took about 30 minutes."
- anon

"Pickit 2 with Pickit programmer, Windows 10, updated the SHmk2 with no fuss. Couldn't get the MPLAB to work so the pickit program worked just fine for me"
- Paranormal Patroler

Troubleshooting
If you see trouble, shoot it (that's when I reach for my revolver).

"The instructions from Harvestman don't really correspond.
You need to specify the device- it is the long string of numbers and letters towards the bottom of the readme included in the firmware download. Until you do that, the software will not find your module.
I had to try to send the firmware several times before it worked- I'd hit Program, and in a split second it would say it was done. The time it finally worked, it only took a couple of seconds though."
- Zymos (PH mk][) & Strontium (SH mk][)

Can I blowup my module? And other fascinations with excitement
Unsure what would happen if the updater were turned to 11....

Bricking Your Module
Essentially, bricking your module means you have to ship it back to the manufacturer so they can wave their magic wand over it and resurrect it from the dead. But gues what? The Pickit programmer is the magic wand.
- M. Night Shalayaman

"There shouldn't be any concern with bricking. Unlike a firmware update with a bootloader, you are completely rewriting the firmware with the programmer so even if something went wrong, you can just erase and program it again and be back in business."
- auxren

Verified Pickits/OS Combinations

* Pickit 3 on Windows 7, 10
* PICKit 3 on Linux known to work, esp. with MPLab X
* looks like all *nix OS are supported through MPLab magic (Mac, etc)
* latest version that works with OSX 10.6 is 2.35 (Pickit 3?)

"Multiple people have reported that it works using MPLAB IPE on a Windows machine.
Your rack must be powered up to do this. There are ways to power the PCU from the PicKit, but I'd just power up your module.
If you put the programmer in incorrectly (wrong orientation), you shouldn't hurt anything."
- Auxren

MPLAB Minimum System RequirementsWindows Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional SP3/ Windows 7 Professional/ Windows 8 Professional
Linux Ubuntu® 9.10 or later
Unofficially, most distributions should work. Microchip employees have used it successfully with Ubuntu, Xubuntu, Debian, Linux Mint, OpenSuse, and Fedora. Users of 64-bit distributions might need to install additional libraries.
Macintosh Mac OS® X 10.5 Intel or later
If using 10.7, 10.8, 10.9 or later, you will need to install Java 6.

Running Windows on a Mac
I've found playonmac.com to be damn successful any time I want to run Windows programs on my Mac.
Need to confirm this helps solve MPLAB issues.

Well alright, alright, alright!!! This all together in one place, up to date and comprehensive will be a huge asset to Harvestman users. Thanks! br> br>

br>mt3

br>Peppered the page. Gave the skeleton its flesh. br> br>

br>wsy

br>PICKit 3 with Linux: known to work, esp. with MPLab X.

- Bill br> br>

br>mt3

br>

wsy wrote:

PICKit 3 with Linux: known to work, esp. with MPLab X.

- Bill

Gracias.
Feel free to post relevant links/info in this thread and I'll edit the top post when I can. br> br>

br>wsy

br>

mt3 wrote:

wsy wrote:

PICKit 3 with Linux: known to work, esp. with MPLab X.

- Bill

Gracias.
Feel free to post relevant links/info in this thread and I'll edit the top post when I can.

In fact, PICKit 3 known to work with Linux and MPLab X - that's how you boot up a WSYnth FM Operator, which several people have now built!

- Bill br> br>

br>shootingtigers

br>Found out that the latest version that works with 10.6 is 2.35, I assume that will work with Pickit 3 but I'm not sure...

In Auxren's guide it shows Stillson plugged in and powered on during the pickit update, is that how it should be? br> br>

br>Zymos

br>Here's a hint if using PicKit 3 and newest software. (On Win7, and PH mk2 in my case) The instructions from Harvestman don't really correspond.
You need to specify the device- it is the long string of numbers and letters towards the bottom of the readme included in the firmware download. Until you do that, the software will not find your module.

I had to try to send the firmware several times before it worked- I'd hit Program, and in a split second it would say it was done. The time it finally worked, it only took a couple of seconds though. br> br>

br>strontium

br>PicKit3 on Windows 10 - successfully updated my SH2 to latest firmware. Took a couple of attempts (hitting 'program') though before it finally updated it. Even though the software said it had been done after the first attempt the module was still showing as the older firmware.

All good now though br> br>

br>Paranormal Patroler

br>

strontium wrote:

PicKit3 on Windows 10 - successfully updated my SH2 to latest firmware. Took a couple of attempts (hitting 'program') though before it finally updated it. Even though the software said it had been done after the first attempt the module was still showing as the older firmware.

All good now though

Is the procedure well documented ? br> br>

br>strontium

br>

Paranormal Patroler wrote:

strontium wrote:

PicKit3 on Windows 10 - successfully updated my SH2 to latest firmware. Took a couple of attempts (hitting 'program') though before it finally updated it. Even though the software said it had been done after the first attempt the module was still showing as the older firmware.

PicKit3 on Windows 10 - successfully updated my SH2 to latest firmware. Took a couple of attempts (hitting 'program') though before it finally updated it. Even though the software said it had been done after the first attempt the module was still showing as the older firmware.

br>My mac refused to connect. OS X 10.10.5. Looks like it an issue judging by the debugger forums I looked at. Used a neighbours PC in the end, took 2 min to update.
Baddcr' s Mac worked with an earlier OS X, strange? br> br>

br>rabbitfur

br>Yeah it is strange. It seems to me that if your pickit3s software is out of date it is impossible to update it without a pc. What a royal pita im still trying to figure out how to update mine as i live in puerto rico and have very few neighbors. I gotta find someone with a pc download all software there and try again. Sigh br> br>

br>guestt

br>I'm still on Mac OS X 9.5.x and my Pickit updated just fine, the whole update procedure was very straightforward and there were n problems at all.

Apple did remove Java after this OS X release point leaving it as an optional extra. It would seem (I might be wrong) that MPLAB uses the default Java or it's own version. If that's the case there's a possible source of incompatibility there. It may be worth installing the latest version of Java on your Mac before installing MPLAB, just a thought - no actual evidence or experience here br> br>

br>rabbitfur

br>

Baddcr wrote:

I'm still on Mac OS X 9.5.x and my Pickit updated just fine, the whole update procedure was very straightforward and there were n problems at all.

Apple did remove Java after this OS X release point leaving it as an optional extra. It would seem (I might be wrong) that MPLAB uses the default Java or it's own version. If that's the case there's a possible source of incompatibility there. It may be worth installing the latest version of Java on your Mac before installing MPLAB, just a thought - no actual evidence or experience here

i've done this and tried it all. spent about 10+ hours of researching workarounds from my uneducated standpoint and can't find any way about it. I cannot get my mac to recognize the device, instead of a serial it just says pickit3 default where there should be a serial. this is a real nightmare and bummer i bought this thing and cannot get it to work even after all of this. why can't these modules just be updated like the mutable stuff, don't even have to take it out the case, plug one cable in and it's done. ugh what a waste of my time trying to do this. br> br>